Perplexed but not in dispair

‎2 Corinthians 4:7-9 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.".

I just got the call around 2:00 that our pregnancy test result was negative.  I'm really bummed, but I am also so very blessed.  After so many years on this journey, the disappointments still hurt, but sadly, they become more of a reality, and the pain isn't as severe.  I'm not sure what we'll do next other than keep praying for God's will.  We no longer have any embryos, so we will most likely close that chapter.  We may adopt, we may just enjoy our little family of three and move on with life, I just don't know.  But God does.  I will continually ask for His guidance.  Thank you to all of my family and many friends who have supported us through prayer these past couple of weeks.  I was overwhelmed with the emails, texts, and FB posts. :)  I am so very appreciative.

Once again, I read the perfect entry last night in my "Streams in the Desert" devotional.

February 23
And there came a lion. (1 Samuel 17:34)

It is a source of inspiration and strength to us to remember how the youthful David trusted God.  Through his faith in the Lord, he defeated a lion and a bear and later overthrew the mighty Goliath.  When the lion came to destroy his flock, it came as a wonderful opportunity for David.  If he had faltered and failed, he would have missed God's opportunity for him and probably would never have been the Lord's chosen king of Israel. 
     "And there came a lion." Normally we think of a lion not as a special blessing from the Lord but only as a reason for alarm.  Yet the lion was God's opportunity in disguise.  Every difficulty and every temptation that comes our way, if we receive it correctly, is God's opportunity.
     When a "lion" comes to your life, recognize it as an opportunity from the Lord, no matter how fierce it may outwardly seem.  Even the tabernacle of God was covered with badger skins and goat hair.  No one would think there would be any glory there, yet the Shechinah glory of God was very evident underneath the covering.  May the Lord open our eyes to see Him, even in temptations, trial, dangers, and misfortunes.

Praying I receive this difficulty correctly.

In the meantime, I will remember the miracle He has already performed in my life.  I have a wonderful husband and a sweet little man who calls me "Mama".